Contributed by: InaGreendaseBrian(others by this writer | submit your own)Published on September 26th 2006With 6 years between full-lengths -- in which veteran Cali-punks Samiam labored through a sorta hiatus status in which several overseas tours occurred -- one would think the band should be willing to embrace a whole new audience. But as Whatever's Got You Down proves, they could certainly lure back .

With 6 years between full-lengths -- in which veteran Cali-punks Samiam labored through a sorta hiatus status in which several overseas tours occurred -- one would think the band should be willing to embrace a whole new audience. But as Whatever's Got You Down proves, they could certainly lure back a few of their own fans, too.

Whatever's Got You Down at its core is purely heartfelt punk rock. Growing up in the same scene and timeline as Jawbreaker, there's quite a few similarities: the raw 24 Hour-like dirge of great standout "Take Care;" "Do You Want to Be Loved," which interestingly samples the haunting opening chords of Pixies' "Where Is My Mind" at its start; the Horace Pinker nodding verses of "Storm Clouds;" the burly stop-start tumble of "Anything"'s intro. Samiam undoubtedly sound like a particular band they've surely influenced through their years too, though: Hot Water Music. Through modest hooks and simple, fetching lines, Jason Beebout's voice is rough and yet absolutely soars through emotional cuts like "When We're Together" and the aforementioned "Take Care." I think it would be silly to say Samiam channels the aura of the Gainesville band's stint on No Idea Records, but I can sense that the current overlapping of fans between the two would find a lot to appreciate on Down.

It's just really odd that musically, the band plays emotionally urgent punk rock in one of its far better stages yet are able to get away with so many unusual flourishes doing it. They can throw in pretty octaves ("Do You Want to Be Loved") or lines of absolute, simple bitterness or desperation ("I meant everything I said / You're lucky we're still talking at all;" "I miss you so much"). It's a huge mid-life crisis -- a fucking heartache really, but it actually sounds sincere coming from Samiam's narrative.

While not likely to make the same impact of the band's early-to-mid-`90s landmarks, Samiam has made a fine addition to the album catalog of Adults Talking About Relationships Intimately (ATARI), and an equally fine addition to their own. Consider this first pseudo-post-reunion effort a solid success.

Fact: Cracked crash cymbal. Why would anyone intentionally do this? Overall production on this album is horseshit and that fucking annoying crash sticks out like a boner in a speedo. The only that is more unlistenable in my opinion is the way that The Sword's cymbals are twice as loud as the rest of the band in the mix. The songs (from both bands), however, are as solid as anything else in their catalogues, so I keep listening...

At first I wasn't so sure about this album, but the more and more I listen to it, the more and more I fall absolutely in love with it.

Anonymous (December 6, 2006)

the new samiam is weak. The production, albeit intentionally unusual, doesn't sound good! Period. That sort of stuff was acceptable on Soar and Underground when the band was getting started, but they came a long way with sonically superior production which really brought their gritty/edgy sound more alive on albums like Clumsy and You Are Freaking Me Out. This new effort is a total regression.

just picked it up and wow! it doesn't sound like they're trying to sell records and be a huge band. it sounds like a punk record! how novel! yeah, the mix is wierd and jason's vocals aren't pitch perfect; do you want samiam to sound like my checmial romance? i sure as shit don't. i'm just glad to have another from these guys!

i do feel that sergie's holding back the BIG hooks for the new solea lp...

Anonymous (September 27, 2006)

Love this record.

Anonymous (September 27, 2006)

And this is listed below a band that formed a year ago because...? No disrespect to Brendan and crew, but come on, Samiam are legends.

Anonymous (September 27, 2006)

Been a fan of Samiam since Billy came out. I enjoy everyone of their albums and think they are great. When I first heard sound clips off this album I was skeptical. The mixing sounded strange and the way the singer sings on this album is different. Well I picked it up today and after repeated listens I am very pleased with this release. It is rough and gets some getting used to but after a while it is the same old Samiam and the songs start to get stuck in your head! Good job!

The vocals on this are oddly mixed, which after repeat listens, you do get used to for the betterment of the album on some songs "do you want to be loved", while on others, "when we're together", the opening shriek can still catch me by suprise if I'm not watching the volume. And only in the verses, Or versi, if so inclined. Why say turtles? Turti is so much more effective.

Can't say I ever got a Hot water music vibe from samiam, though Hot Water Music seems to be limitlessly referenceable. Name one band that someone hasn't referenced with HWM, and I'm sure a google search will turn something up.

Nice Horace Pinker reference, the Pinker is near and dear.

Can't wait for the next Solea record. Has Hopeless finally released a decent record again?

LOVE this album...Track 11 Holiday Parade is my favorite. I've been a long time fan & if you'd like a first album to pick up I'd recommend YOU ARE FREAKING ME OUT...."Astray" is damn fine too...and if you enjoy this and haven't heard Solea, then what are you waiting for.

Anonymous (September 26, 2006)

Just get all of their albums, every single one is great. If you only want to get one or two, it should be (in my opinion) clumsy and astray

"the recording job on this is absolutey aweful, just makes it sound like a demo tape. the vocals and music just don't get you into it like we all know that jason and sergie are capable of. seems forced, maybe they're trying too hard or taking a different approach (sometimes it doesn't even sound like jason singing)"

Couldn't have said it better. I can't believe it's Jason at some points.

Anonymous (September 26, 2006)

i've been a huge samiam fan since back in high school (1988) and spent a lot of time at the berkeley square (rip) and gilman just living the dream. they've really become one of the best bands to come out of the sf east bay/gilman scene from back in the late 80 and early 90s. they are one of those bands that puts out great records one after another and manages to make tham all sound different but yet keep the samiam ingtegrity and tradmark "wall of sound". but i have to be honest here guys... what happened? the recording job on this is absolutey aweful, just makes it sound like a demo tape. the vocals and music just don't get you into it like we all know that jason and sergie are capable of. seems forced, maybe they're trying too hard or taking a different approach (sometimes it doesn't even sound like jason singing), but if so, it's not really working yet. like maybe a bunch of songs that never really made it on other albums. buy this record if you've been a fan and have the rest. don't buy this record as your first samiam experience, but after you've heard the others.

did something happen to the singer to make his voice sound different? i'm no authority on samiam, but i own astray, and picked this up as well, and his voice sounds different. as in, he gargled too many razor blades to try and sound like frankie stubbs.

Anonymous (September 26, 2006)

the singer sounds like Chad from ALL on this song

Anonymous (September 26, 2006)

wow...i'm really out of the loop. i saw this today and thought it was another band taking samiam's name so i didn't pick it up.

For me I was hoping it would somehow be in my top 3 Samiam records held by Soar, You Are Freaking Me Out, & Astray, it failed in that.However It is a fine record that I enjoy more than Billy but right now not as much as Clumsy. Storm Clouds might be one of my favourite songs of the year and Take Care is a great tune as well.